Special Olympics Unified Sports® joins people with and without intellectual disabilities together as teammates, each one a meaningful and equal part of the team. In schools, Unified Sports is known as inclusive sports and is one of the three components of the Unified Champion Schools strategy.
Inclusive Youth Leadership recognizes that all students have leadership potential. In Unified Clubs, students of all abilities come together as equals to discover one another’s individual strengths. While finding their own voice, youth become change agents creating a school environment where all students have the chance to reach their full potential. In Unified Clubs, students learn to co-lead and play alongside students with different abilities.
A Quick Path to Friendship
Inclusive sports provides valuable social inclusion opportunities for all teammates to build friendships, on and off the playing field. Through modeling genuine inclusion for the entire school community, all teammates are challenged to improve their sports skills and fitness. In the process, young people with and without disabilities increase their positive attitudes and perceptions toward their peers, establishing friendships.
Creating Champions
For many students, inclusive sports provide the opportunity to experience the joy of participation in a school activity, whether they represent their school as part of an interscholastic Unified Sports team, play on an intramural team, or simply have an opportunity to be involved in other inclusive activities.
Inclusive Youth Leadership recognizes that all students have leadership potential. In Unified Clubs, students of all abilities come together as equals to discover one another’s individual strengths. While finding their own voice, youth become change agents creating a school environment where all students have the chance to reach their full potential. By encouraging youth to engage peers with and without intellectual disabilities, students can also improve opportunities for more inclusive sports. They might initiate a Unified Sports day or work with the physical education teacher to create inclusive recreation opportunities within the school day.
Get Started
There are lots of options to train and compete in sports in an inclusive school setting. Find the right fit for you, from Pre-K all the way through college!
Play School-Based Sports Unified Physical Education
Questions? Reach out to ucs@sonj.org for more information.